By IANSlife
October 06, 2023 (IANSlife) Did you know that diabetes and cardiovascular disease are closely linked? In the realm of health, the relationship between heart and diabetes is pivotal. These two conditions, each impactful in their own, are intricately linked in ways that affect millions.
As per research, people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop some form of heart disease in their lifetime. Elevated blood glucose levels due to diabetes can cause damage or narrowing of blood vessels and nerves that regulate heart function. Over time, this could lead to stoppage of blood flow to the heart or brain causing a heart attack or stroke. The good news is that the steps you take to manage your diabetes can also help lower your cardiovascular disease risk.
For effective diabetes management, regular monitoring of glucose levels is vital. This can be done using tools like continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, which doesn’t involve finger pricks to give you glucose level insights. Such devices have useful metrics like Time in Range (TIR), which indicates the amount of time in a day that one’s glucose levels stay within a specified range. When a person spends more time in range, their risk of developing cardiovascular disease markers is reduced. In fact, a 10% increase in TIR can reduce the risk of abnormal thickness of one’s carotid arteries by 6.4%. Therefore, achieving a greater TIR is important to keep cardiovascular disease at bay.
Dr. Sunil Bohra, MBBS, DNB (Gen Med). F. Cardio., F. Diab., FIAE., MRCPE, Fortis Hospital Bangalore, said, “In India, many people living with diabetes are reporting heart-related complications. It is also extremely concerning that the rise of these complications is being observed across younger demographics. Poorly managed diabetes can lead to rise in cardiovascular disease risk factors like high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and high triglycerides. Therefore, it is extremely important for people to take extra care and follow preventative steps to avoid glucose fluctuations. Embracing a heart healthy diet, consistent exercise, and regular glucose monitoring devices like CGM, are few of the vital measures one can adopt.”
Here are 5simple steps people living with diabetes can take to keep an eye on their health:
In addition to these tips, people with diabetes should remain alert to any concerning trends of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia and take care to address these immediately. You should also consult your doctor about other steps you should take to improve your diabetes management and protect your heart health. By making healthy lifestyle choices, you can benefit from better health outcomes and enjoy a higher quality of life.
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